I fully expect Filoni to do something about Ahsoka and Sabine searching for Ezra around the same time as The Mandalorian (and I think it would rule if those characters showed up on Mando when that other hypothetical show/miniseries/movie/whatever gets going, a la that one TNG 2-parter where they went to DS9). As for whether or not Dave is a reasonable or probable pick to replace Kennedy at some point, I kind of feel like he’s too much of a writer for that gig. Does that sort of job typically go to a creative?
I’ve heard rumors of there being another animated series that would be the spiritual successor to Rebels and The Clone Wars. It’s likely that Sabine, Ezra, and Ahsoka would return in that series, but I’m hoping it isn’t just about that.
I kind of hope that this is another “gap” series, sort of how Rebels and TCW filled the gaps between movies, Series #3 would fill the gap in-between Return of the Jedi and the Force Awakens. I think an animated series would be the perfect way to show the further adventures of Luke, Han and Leia. The show would need a new young protagonist to follow like Ahsoka or Ezra. It could be one of Luke’s students, but having it be Ben Solo would also be a great way to add further weight to his character in the Sequel Trilogy.
We’ve already seen that Dave Filoni likes to introduce Legends material, and combining the story of the OT heroes and the animated heroes would allow for this show to potentially do a soft reboot of Heir to the Empire, or at the very least have the OT heroes encounter Thrawn. The OT heroes interacting with characters like Ahsoka, Ezra and Sabine could be interesting too.
I will say as much as I want to see the search for Ezra, I don’t just want Rebels part 2. I definitely think something like a miniseries could work, or perhaps something along the lines of what Rebels did for TCW, where you see the continuing adventures of the characters for the last show as part of a show about new characters.
Part of my likes the idea of following the OT heroes but another part of me is kinda worried they’d fuck that up. I’d probably prefer the OT heroes to show up as background characters as well.
It’s funny that we’re just outright assuming it’ll take place in between ROTJ and TFA, like TM, but honestly it’d be pretty surprising if it didn’t. That’s the ideal spot right now for SW content because you can tie the classic in with the new era, and there’s so many years and very few stories there.